Photonics is a key technology of the 21st century. In pioneering fields such as laser technology and micro-optics, it makes a significant contribution to technological development in production engineering, metrology, IT, electronics, biotechnology and life science.

The competence network for optical technologies "Photonics BW" was founded in July 2000 as a BMBF-funded non-profit association. Its membership has rapidly expanded from the original 9 to now about 50 partners in industry and science, finance and consulting. The network pursues a focused strategy of promoting the advancement of optical technologies through research and development, training and education, marketing and public relations, as part of its broader mission to strengthen the economy of Baden-Württemberg and reinforce its status as a key business location. This is accomplished in part through joint efforts with other regional Competence Networks for Optical Technologies and OptecNet Deutschland e.V. to contribute towards the sustainable development of optical technologies in Germany.

Research, development and application

Photonics BW working groups:
Forging links between science and industry is one of the fundamental aims of Photonics BW. To promote efficient R&D processes and facilitate rapid product implementation, the network has set up six working groups in which experts meet at regular intervals to share their knowledge and to discuss topical issues arising at the pre-competitive and non-commercial level of research.

>	Laser materials processing		Flyer working group "Laser materials processing" (German)
>	Optical design and simulation
>	Optical communications
>	Optics in medicine and biotechnology
>	Optical measurement techniques
>	Training and consulting

Project administration on behalf of the Landesstiftung Baden- Württemberg gGmbH
Another important function of Photonics BW is its role as project administrator for the "Research in Optical Technologies" funding program on behalf of the Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg gGmbH (Baden-Württemberg State Foundation). Photonics BW manages all research projects sponsored under this program, which has covered a variety of topics relating to optical technologies in four successive competition rounds.

Photonics BW competence matrix
To support interdisciplinary working between the individual working groups, a "competence matrix" documenting the products and fields of expertise of the network members has been compiled and posted on the Photonics BW Web site.

Link to the Photonics BW competence matrix (German)

Training and consulting

In cooperation with its members, Photonics BW organizes topical seminars and workshops to important themes in the range of optical technologies. Very sucsessful is his workshop "Design and Simulation of optical systems" (in German language).

Guide to relevant study opportunities in Baden-Württemberg
Education and training are of central importance in efforts to sustain the quality of future resources. Photonics BW has compiled a detailed guide to relevant study opportunities in Baden-Württemberg, featuring information on degree courses and lectures in optical technologies, including conditions of acceptance and the qualifications award­ed. This guide for young people is distributed free of charge at various events and can be downloaded from the network's website.

Download guide (German)

 
Guide to apprenticeships in the range of optical technologies
In cooperation with the Arbeitsamt Aalen, Photonics BW has compiled a guide to apprenticeships in the range of optical technologies.

Download guide apprenticeships (German)

Continuing the activities of the former Laserberatungsverbund Südwest (LBV)
Photonics BW has also taken on the task of continuing the activities of the former Laserberatungsverbund Südwest (LBV), an alliance of research and training institutes whose direct state funding recently expired. LBV's mandate was to lend support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the process of introducing laser technology. Its past activities, such as the organization of special laser-technology training work­shops for SMEs, will be integrated in a new working group devoted to "training and consult".

Marketing and public relations

Photonics BW organizes special events and joint booths on international trade fairs and conferences, like LASER, OPTATEC, and Photonics West and realising publications in the German learned journal Photonik.

Photonics BW newsletter
Photonics BW issues a quarterly newsletter with news on its members, Photonics BW and the other Competence Networks for Optical Technologies. The newsletter contains also a portrait about a member and research results of the "Research in Optical Technologies" funding program of the Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg gGmbH.

Download topical newsletter

International activities
Photonics BW participates in international activities as a member of the national association of regional Competence Networks for Optical Technologies "OptecNet Deutschland" and collaborates with Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i), an Agency for International Economic and Scientific Cooperation. The network also cooperates directly with a photonics network in France.